Phosphorus
Phosphorus (磷, symbol P) is chemical element number 15, a Reactive Nonmetal in period 3, group 15 of the periodic table, with a standard atomic weight of about 30.974. Essential for DNA, RNA, and ATP. Multiple allotropes including white, red, and black.
Properties
| Atomic number | 15 |
|---|---|
| Symbol | P |
| Atomic mass | 30.974 u |
| Category | Reactive Nonmetal |
| Period | 3 |
| Group | 15 |
| Electron configuration | [Ne] 3s² 3p³ |
| Electronegativity | 2.19 |
| Covalent radius | 107 pm |
| Density | 1.82 g/cm³ |
| Melting point | 317.3 K |
| Boiling point | 550 K |
| Discovery | Hennig Brand, 1669 |
Overview
Essential for DNA, RNA, and ATP. Multiple allotropes including white, red, and black. Phosphorus (P) holds position 15 in the periodic table, a Reactive Nonmetal in period 3, group 15. As a nonmetal it tends to gain electrons, or to share them with other nonmetals when bonding.
It has the configuration [Ne] 3s² 3p³ and an electronegativity near 2.19; its 5 outer-shell electrons drive its bonding. Under standard conditions it exists as a solid (a very low melting point); it melts near 317.3 K (44.2 °C), boils near 550 K (276.9 °C), has a density around 1.82 g/cm³.
It is widely used in Agriculture / Fertiliser and Medical / Pharma. On the safety side, it carries a moderate hazard rating. It was first described by Hennig Brand in 1669. Browse elements of the same category in the browse view.
Electron shells
Electrons per shell: 2 · 8 · 5
Main uses
- Agriculture / Fertiliser
- Medical / Pharma
Hazard
Compounds containing Phosphorus
No compounds in this knowledge base contain Phosphorus yet.
Data sources
Atomic mass uses IUPAC (CIAAW) standard atomic weights; the covalent radius is from Cordero et al. (2008). Verify on the RSC Periodic Table, PubChem and Wikipedia. Educational reference only.